ALEX Salmond has hinted his party could do an embarrassing U-turn on not voting on English-only issues at Westminster to prop up a Labour government if they win the General Election.

Mr Salmond hinted he would prop up a Labour government if they win the General Election

The former First Minister and SNP leader said the party could start influencing English laws on a “vote-by-vote” basis to support Ed Miliband if he is successful.

The call is significant as another hung Parliament looks likely with the Tories and Labour almost neck-and-neck in the polls – meaning the SNP could hold the balance of power.

The Nationalists have enjoyed a surge of support in recent months despite being soundly beaten in the independence referendum.

It comes as Labour’s support north of the Border collapses, meaning the SNP could have dozens of new MPs come next May.

But Mr Salmond’s comments will only anger Tory MPs by escalating the so-called West Lothian Question, which refers to the issue of Scottish MPs voting on English-only issues.

This week, former Conservative leader William Hague unveiled proposals for so-called “English Votes for English Laws” to help address the problem, which could see all Scottish MPs barred from votes on devolved matters.

Mr Salmond and his successor Nicola Sturgeon have already ruled out doing any kind of deal with the Tories in post-election negotiations but have left the door open to a deal with Labour.

That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised

Mr Salmond

He said he would bet on the next parliament being “balanced” and added: “That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised.”

But Mr Salmond then suggested SNP MPs could start voting on English-only laws in a move that would increase the Nationalists’ influence over Labour.

Suggestions the SNP could start voting on English laws will add pressure on Mr Miliband to go further on English devolution after the Labour leader failed to back Mr Hague’s proposals.

Mr Salmond said David Cameron would be punished by the electorate for bringing up English devolution the morning after Scotland voted to stay in the UK by 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

He said: “We won’t give succour, help, assistance to the Conservative Party and the reason is David Cameron waltzing out of Downing Street and showing his true face the morning after the referendum.”

Last month, Mr Salmond formally stepped down as SNP leader and First Minister following the referendum result.

He announced earlier this month his intention of returning to Westminster and was unveiled as a candidate for the SNP nomination for the Gordon seat in Aberdeenshire.

Mr Salmond hopes to take the seat from the Liberal Democrats with current Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce retiring at the General Election in May.